At least that how it feels, since Usher's new video is being played around the clock today. The new release, "Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home)", from his upcoming cd, Raymond v. Raymond, seems to signal the return of Usher as the reigning king of R&B. The new album will be the first since Usher's divorce from Tameka Raymond (hence the title) and is sure to center around the ups and downs of relationships. Many of his fans who were upset that he decided to get married will no doubt accept the crooner back with open arms.
Ummm, yeah. The video is a little sessy. Enjoy.
]]>The Problem with Chris Matthews' "I Forgot He Was Black" Commenthttp://www.chocolatechiq.com/blog/2010/1/28/the-problem-with-chris-matthews-i-forgot-he-was-black-commen.htmlChocolateChiq2010-01-28T16:37:13Z2010-01-28T16:37:13Z
Last night after President Obama's State of the Union address, MSNBC's Hardball host, Chris Matthews uttered "he is post racial by all appearances...I forgot he was black tonight for an hour." Even after previously hearing a few questionable statements by Matthews over the last couple of years, I was still shocked and taken aback by his comments. Imagine if Hillary Clinton was President and he said "for an hour, I forgot she was a woman!"
Admittedly, Matthews could have simply meant that he is still shocked the United States of America elected an African-American president (which seemed to be his explanation of his remarks). Additionally, people argue that it is a positive thing not to see color or race as in "I don't see President Obama as a black President, I just see him as President." However, on a visceral level, Matthews' words seemed to imply that there is a looming negative connotation(s) associated with being black and that this President carries those attributes with him on a daily basis. And Matthews was happy to forget the President's "blackness" for an hour.
Even for those who pride themselves in being color-blind, why is there a need not to see or acknowledge obvious physical characteristics? A person can admire President Obama while noticing/realizing/accepting that he is African-American. What's the big f*cking deal? Why would that be a conflict, consciously or otherwise? Instead of saying that you don't see color, consider thinking "I fully support President Obama. I know that he is a black man and that does not influence or factor into my perception at all."
]]>MA Senate Aftermath: A Teachable Moment for President Obamahttp://www.chocolatechiq.com/blog/2010/1/20/ma-senate-aftermath-a-teachable-moment-for-president-obama.htmlChocolateChiq2010-01-20T15:15:59Z2010-01-20T15:15:59Z
What I can't understand for the life of me, is why the administration didn't realize that 2008 was a REAL change election? While the new political must-have, Game Change, reveals that many Democratic establishment officials secretly backed Obama, it is still unbelievable and amazing that the American public voted for the first African-American President. Even people, who normally would not have given the young, black, then-Senator a second look, took a chance because they were devastated and anxious about the near catastrophic economic conditions and tired of war.
So Obama was elected because we DID NOT want politics as usual nor the old tired Beltway antics. Instead, we witnessed a White House show that they were not immensely concerned with Main Street and were more interested in pursuing their own politically advantageous agenda which would continue the Democrats long-time love affair with Wall Street.
While many people agreed that immediate action was needed to stave off a major depression, the banks were bailed out while the general public was left to fend for themselves. No check on the outrageous bonuses for the very people who caused the financial crises, banks creating and levying new fees left and right, financial institutions REFUSING to lend money to individuals and small businesses, and mortgage companies refusing to renegotiate loan terms.
And all we received was lip service from the administration. After almost a year of public disgust, the President decides to stick the banks with new fees/taxes to recoup the bailout. Too little, too late.
Remember when the President said he didn't believe in stupid wars and that he wouldn't have voted for the Iraq war. After seeing his decision on Afghanistan, I doubt seriously that he would have "stood up to the establishment".
And finally there is health care. It's crazy hearing the pundits proclaim that people don't care about health care, but care about jobs. That's like saying people are concerned about jobs but not concerned about taxes. Additionally, people who are really concerned about the growing national deficit know we need healthcare reform. Is it only liberals who are denied benefits and/or dropped from coverage? Is it only liberals who don't want their premiums and co-pays to rise with no end in sight? Dems, please stop listening to pundits, like Lanny Davis. Remember during the primary campaign, people wanted a universal-type health system whether it was Hillary Clinton's or Barack Obama's. Then decisively voted for the presumed "health care for all" candidate over John McCain.
I blame the Great Communicator for allowing the GOP/Tea Party to run health care show. "Medicare for all, no denial for pre-existing conditions, and a reduction in the deficit" should have been the only message. People don't want any old bill...they want REAL health care reform. HCR is unpopular as the bank bailout because both are seen as giveaways to corporate America.
]]>Jon Stewart: Bush Did Whatever the F*ck He Wanted to With a Much Smaller Majorityhttp://www.chocolatechiq.com/blog/2010/1/19/jon-stewart-bush-did-whatever-the-fck-he-wanted-to-with-a-mu.htmlChocolateChiq2010-01-19T13:17:30Z2010-01-19T13:17:30Z
Seems that Jon Stewart gave the Dems another talking point. DAMMIT! Why isn't Jon Stewart Chief of Staff?
Against the backdrop of the Massachusetts Senate race between Martha Coakley and Scott Brown, the Democratic whining begins...AGAIN! I remember very clearly when the Democrats complained during the Bush years that they could not do ANYTHING because the Republicans had a majority. Now what is the excuse? Jon Stewart says it much more eloquently.
]]>Rick Sanchez (CNN): The Act of Journalism Spotted - NYE Editionhttp://www.chocolatechiq.com/blog/2010/1/3/rick-sanchez-cnn-the-act-of-journalism-spotted-nye-edition.htmlChocolateChiq2010-01-03T17:51:51Z2010-01-03T17:51:51Z
While many were excited about upcoming NYE festivities, Rich Sanchez put on a show that would have made hard-nosed reporters of the past extremely proud. While it is the norm today to allow politicians to give non-answers or fail to give a response at all, CNN's Sanchez continually grilled Senator Ensign on his ethics violation and his affair. After seeing a duly elected member of Congress to refuse answer the questions numerous times, it exposes what we know to be true: it's politics as usual on the Hill.
]]>Jay Z's "On to the Next One" Video Riles Up Conspiracy Theoristshttp://www.chocolatechiq.com/blog/2010/1/3/jay-zs-on-to-the-next-one-video-riles-up-conspiracy-theorist.htmlChocolateChiq2010-01-03T16:45:25Z2010-01-03T16:45:25Zo On to the Next One, and Mason, Illuminati, and NWO">
For the last few months, I've heard people speculating about whether or not Jay Z is a Mason. (Actually, people have been theorizing that along with Hova, President Obama is a member of the Illuminati). Thanks to Jay Smooth, I was alerted to the release of Mr. Carter's new video, On to the Next One, which unapologetically embraces all things Masonic and adds fuel to the conspiracy fire.
First, I must say that the video is absolutely stunning. A visual marvel. With a sense of foreboding, reminiscent of Lady Gaga's Bad Romance, it is as remarkably creative as T-Pain's Can't Believe It. If this was a full length movie, Sam Brown would definitely be in the running for the Best Director statute.
There is no question that the video contains various symbols of Freemasonry. Well, it's obvious if you are familiar with elements of their rituals. So for those of us who knew very little about the Mason mystique but understood that some considered them secretive and anti-Christian, here is an overview:
According to Wiki, Freemason (or Mason) is a fraternal organization started around the late 16th century and is described "a system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols."
Their main objectives are participation in charity work, being morally upstanding, and "the development and maintenance of fraternal friendship." Some requirements to become a Mason include being a male, referral from a Mason(s), and having good morals.
Freemasonry also requires a belief in a Supreme Being but does not dictate how the member interprets Supreme Being, therefore Christians, Jews, Muslims, and other followers of some other religions can join. Masons also must agree to keep some of their rituals, gestures, and other aspects secret; however, those rituals and gestures are dependent on the jurisdiction. This secrecy and allowing beliefs in other Supreme Beings besides the Christian God are the main reasons cited as opposition and criticism of the Masons and the belief that it is an occult.
Freemasonry is often linked to the Illuminati which is defined as "a name that refers to several groups, both historical and modern, and both real and fictitious. Historically, it refers specifically to the Bavarian Illuminati, an Enlightenment-era secret society founded on May 1, 1776. In modern times it is also used to refer to a purported conspiratorial organization which acts as a shadowy "power behind the throne", allegedly controlling world affairs through present day governments and corporations, usually as a modern incarnation or continuation of the Bavarian Illuminati." Eventually leading to the creation of the new world order, NWO.
Illuminati founder, Adam Weishaupt, patterned much of his organization after the Freemasons.
Which leads back to Jay Z and the "is he or isn't he" frenzy. Seeds of the conspiracy were planted long before the release of the new video. The "Roc" sign bears a resemblance to the Mason's Square and Compass (as shown in above pic). This year's Run This Town has also been said to contain Masonic lyrics. But the blatant inclusion of Masonic symbols in "On To the Next One" leaves no question that Jay Z is aware of the theories and submerged himself into the controversy.
The symbolism is detailed by Real Talk NY commenter, "For real tho...":
:29..there’s a face in the fingerprint
:36..there’s a man in the middle wearing a crown
:38..the flash, if you can catch it..3 bullets pointing up, 3 balls in the middle, 3 bullets pointing up
1:24..the beast in each flame, the figure rising out of them at the top
2:10.. jigga wit the light around his head
2:13..always knew it’d be like this
3:04..face in the fossil’s head
3:19-3:20..the flash, if you can catch it..five balls, hands picking at the top left and bottom right ones. Of the remaining 3 balls, there’s a figure above the one in the middle
3:31..monsters in the flames
3:39..Jesus in between two bullets
3:51..horns
Although, there is no doubt that Jay Z and his team were banking on this controversy, it is still interesting to hear the director mention the "3 iconic stripes" on the side of the Jaguar in the following clip (hiphopstan.com):
The official video for Jay Z's "On to the Next One":
]]>It's Festivus for the Rest of Us!http://www.chocolatechiq.com/blog/2009/12/23/its-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us.htmlChocolateChiq2009-12-23T15:55:03Z2009-12-23T15:55:03Z
Ohh, you didn't know? The entire world was introduced to the holiday celebration by Frank Costanza back in the 1997. Feats of strengths. A pole instead of a tree. The airing of grievances. Festivus miracles. It's all there. Enjoy.
]]>President Obama in Washington Post on Public Option: "Are you going to believe me or your lying ears?" (video)http://www.chocolatechiq.com/blog/2009/12/23/president-obama-in-washington-post-on-public-option-are-you.htmlChocolateChiq2009-12-23T14:39:23Z2009-12-23T14:39:23Z
"Change you can believe in" officially died yesterday.
Actually, I can thing of a number of pithy comments/titles: President Obama has his Bill Clinton "it depends on what is is" Moment, or President Obama is Officially in Sarah Palin Territory, or The Right Hates You, and Left is Disgusted, Independents are Leaving in Droves...GOOD LUCK WITH THAT!
During an interview with the Washington Post on Tuesday, President Obama stated "I didn't campaign on the public option."
After reading those words, I had to sit down and take a minute. I was actually physically ill. Suddenly, I had numerous flashbacks of the hours spent watching campaign coverage including the debates, candidate Obama's speeches, and all that political analysis. Am I crazy? Did I just invent a candidate who prided himself on standing up for "average" Americans? Did I conjure up the defense against Hillary Clinton's health care plan that mandates can't work because people can't afford them and that a PUBLIC PLAN would allow all Americans to purchase affordable health care? After the nausea wore off, then intense anger kicked in. Oh, now I see, he is doing that cutesy lawyer thing.
So after the left collectively got over the shock of being shaken to their very core, it only took a few minutes for those rapid-fire fact-checking blog posts to appear to dispute that unbelievable outrageous claim by the President (you remember, Mr. President, all those fact-checking blogs that helped save you from the continuous assault from the right during your campaign.) Daily Kos: here and here. Huffingtonpost: here and here.
ThinkProgress: here.
***Edited****
While I was writing this post, I was still seeing red and included an excerpt from TomP's DK post, but much of his argument was related to President Obama use of "public option" during the 2009 health care debate. Post has been revised to include the use of "public option" during the presidential campaign.**
"Essentially . . we're going to set up a public plan that all persons and all women can access if they don't have health insurance. It will be a plan that will provide all essential services, including reproductive services." (7/17/07)
September 2008: Then-Candidate Obama's Health Care Proposal Included A New Public Plan And Health Insurance Exchange. The Columbus Dispatch reported..."Although Obama would not require adults to have insurance, he would mandate that large businesses either provide coverage to their employees or pay into a new public plan through which anyone without coverage could buy it...Key to Obama's plan is creation of a National Health Insurance Exchange in which private insurers would offer coverage as generous as the government's plan."
October 2008: Then-Candidate Obama's Public Option Discussed On NPR. During an October 20, 2008 interview on NPR, Trudy Lieberman, Director of the Health and Medicine Reporting Program at New York City University, said:"I think we can say that there are really two key aspects of Obama's plan. One is that he would expand Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Plan, which was a program set up by Congress about a decade ago. The second part is something that's a little bit nebulous right now and that's called his public option."
Those who most fervently supported the President throughout the campaign were hit the hardest.
This has been coming for the last few months. The White House has repeatedly stated that President supported the public option while simultaneously deriding liberals for their strong support of the PO. During the summer and fall, the Congress was just waiting for the President to push the PO so they could follow his lead, but he refused. Not to mention the numerous "anonymous" leaks from the administration ridiculing progressive bloggers...that was both childish and transparent.
I could support the President if he had REALLY tried to get the public option but stopped once he realized he couldn't get the votes OR if he had just been honest during the campaign OR if he had said at the beginning of the health care debate that he was not supporting the public plan.
I want to blame myself for falling for the okey-doke. But hey, I'm human, right?
]]>Old School Jamz "Merry Christmas Style" (Nat King Cole, Eartha Kitt, Dean Martin, Boyz II Men)http://www.chocolatechiq.com/blog/2009/12/22/old-school-jamz-merry-christmas-style-nat-king-cole-eartha-k.htmlChocolateChiq2009-12-22T21:10:39Z2009-12-22T21:10:39Z
We are going way back in time for this month's Old School Jamz. These Christmas classics are timeless, and make listening to hours and hours and hours of holiday music bearable. Happy Holidays to you and yours. Enjoy.
Eartha Kitt - Santa Baby (1953)
Dean Martin - It's Cold Outside (1959)
Nat King Cole - Christmas Song (1961)
Boyz II Men - Let It Snow (1993)
]]>"Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" Author on Why Tiger Woods Cheatedhttp://www.chocolatechiq.com/blog/2009/12/22/men-are-from-mars-women-are-from-venus-author-on-why-tiger-w.htmlChocolateChiq2009-12-22T19:36:04Z2009-12-22T19:36:04Z
Many medical professionals are extremely politically correct with their comments regarding the Tiger Woods' scandal. As I mentioned in a previous post, "Tiger Woods: Sex Addict or Hot-Blooded Male?” some doctors are implying that Tiger has a sexual addiction. While many people were surprised that this superstar, married athlete with a clean cut, "All-American" (and geeky) image would be involved with numerous salacious affairs, theorizing that he has a mental defect is the easy, safe way to go. Thankfully, Dr. John Gray of "Men Are from Mars, Women are from Venus" fame is refreshingly honest and caringly blunt.
Dr. Gray breaks down the answer to the question asked 7.5 million times in the last 4 weeks: Why would Tiger cheat on his beautiful wife? (Side note: while I think his wife is nice looking, personally, I don't really see her as incredibly beautiful. Wondering if the outrage is in part "this black man, who we consider one of us, repeatedly cheated on his blond haired, blue-eyed, European prize.)
In his Huffingtonpost.com column, Dr. Gray explains that when the pull of attraction fades, other aspects of the relationship will sustain the partnership. He states that "attraction, passion, respect, and trust are the four cornerstones of commitment. These traits are tested through time. They ebb and flow as we grow and mature. But if they stay in place during the stormy times, the marriage will last." He goes on to say that even if a committed person notices that someone else is attractive, that person will not stray if they are happy and secure in a healthy relationship (keyword is HEALTHY).
"Attraction goes beyond beauty" Of course, physical looks are important, however, there needs to be a deeper level of connection to allow the relationship to survive and grow. As some modern words of wisdom go: show me a beautiful woman, and I will show you a guy that's tired of f*cking her!
"Having regular sex is the key" Regular sexual activity in a healthy relationship creates an incredibly strong bond. A woman should not be forced or guilted into taking part in any sexual activities in which she does not want to participate. (I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT RAPE; I'm talking about regular relationship pressures.) However, women need to realize that rationing sex is an absolute deal breaker to most men, i.e. he will feel he has a right to go outside the relationship to find satisfaction. If a situation is so bad that you can not engage in regular sex, you need to seriously consider ending the relationship or taking a break.
"Successful men have more libido" According to Dr. Gray, "historically, it shows that the more successful a man is, the higher is libido. Because all that success stimulates testosterone. And those testosterone levels means he wants sex, he needs sex, he wants sex, and clearly he wasn't getting sex at home." I would just add "enough"...he wasn't getting enough sex at home.
"She needs to have an orgasm most of the time" Not only does the male have to be satisfied, it is paramount that the female is sexually satisfied as well in order to develop a deeper intimacy and closeness, which strengthens and maintains a relationship. Men must realize that a woman's feelings about sex are strongly tied to how she is treated in the non-sexual part of the marriage. So fellas, remember ATTENTION, AFFECTION, and APPRECIATION.
The bottom line is this: men can be faithful in marriages. The man must be committed to his partner, she has to be the right partner for him, and the relationship must be healthy (i.e. the blog post you just read!
